Obama, Kucinich campaigns make appearance on campus

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, spoke before a crowd of about 2,000 people at the University’s 66-year-old Virginia Street Gym Friday, Jan. 18.

A freshman senator from Illinois, Obama introduced Nevada undergraduate student body president Sarah Ragsdale to the audience, and then joked that he went to the 22-year-old for advice on getting elected to a top office.

“I went to Sarah for tips on how to become elected president, but I can’t tell you what she told me, but that it was very helpful,” he said.

Obama’s speech, on the cusp of the Jan. 19 Nevada Democratic and Republican caucuses, lasted about 45 minutes. He also took several questions from spectators.

Elizabeth Kucinich, the wife of Democratic candidate Dennis Kucinich, is slated to speak at a free public rally on the campus, 7 p.m. Jan. 18 in the Great Room at the Joe Crowley Student Union.